Chapter 6 Debate: Alexander Hamilton
Issue 1: Need for change. Does the government of the Articles need to be replaced?
I do believe the Articles of Confederation need to be replaced. From the beginning I
have been unhappy with the Articles of Confederation and the weak central
government that it has created. I believe that this weakness is the basis of a dilemma
plaguing America. With the states retaining so much power the central government has
grown too weak to regulate commerce, tax, and it further cannot support the war
effort. It also has little power to settle quarrels between states. It ultimately leaves the
people subject to the prejudices of each member of the Confederation. If the people
cannot trust this system how can other governments.
This is such an unstable
foundation that it is not capable of just amendment but of a wholesale change in its
foundation and characters.
Issue 2: Can a republic govern a large territory and a diverse population?
I do believe that a republic, like the national government of the United States, can
govern a large territory and a diverse population. I believe this to be true because when
we have representatives from the various states working together they learn to work
together for the common good. Bringing the representatives together to solve common
problems also results in less chaos between the states because the representatives can
more easily communicate the groups decisions that effect each state. Furthermore,
when you have such a diverse group it is less likely that you will have a large group with
common motive and with which to gang up on less powerful groups.
Issue 3: Will the new constitutional government create an aristocratic power in the
presidency?
No. While the king is in power for life the president is in power for only four years.
Further, the king inherits the throne so families stay in power for many generations. The
president, on the other hand, is voted for by the people and it is not likely that a single
family will have multiple presidents coming from its bloodline with the decision in the
hands of the people. This further limits the extent to which a single family might hold
power. With the power of the vote, most of the power will still lie with the people. Not
only will they vote for the president but as well voting for the state representatives.
This provides a check on the president’s power by the legislative branch but also the
judicial branch. Therefore, the president does not have control over all acts of the
government but the power is shared among the different branches of the government.
Issue 4: Does the proposed Constitution protect the people’s liberty?
Yes, the proposed constitution does protect the people’s liberty. I have heard the
challenge that there is no bill of rights so there is insufficient protection for the people.
However many states constitutions, which receive no similar criticism, contain no
specific bill of rights either but there is no similar complaint. It has been said that these
states do cover provisions similar to that of a bill of rights so these are appropriate.
However, this Constitution does as well. There are provisions of great importance in
protecting personal liberties including issues of impeachment, habeaous corpus,
treason, and elimination of titles of nobility. These issues, many of which are not
covered in the state constitutions, go to the heart of personal liberty and are more
fitting than those of the usual course that might tend to benefit those of noble
upbringing rather than our citizens. The Constitution of the Union as opposed to that of
the states spells out the political privileges of its people which is at the heart of their
liberty. Likewise, in clear and precise terms the Constitution sets out the protections
afforded the people of this Union. The states have their constitution and protections in
respect to state issues and the Union has theirs in respect to the issues of concern best
addressed by the Union. This cannot be denied.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/duel/sfeature/hamiltonusconstituion.html